This is VaioWiki the Wiki Web for Sony VAIO users. Here you find anything you need to install your favourite Linux distribution on your VAIO.

From VaioWiki

[edit] Debian Etch on Vaio PCG-N505X

Recently I decided to spend some time on my Vaio installing a brand new version of Debian Etch. As I encountered some problems installing a Mandrake Linux some years ago I was prepared to spend a "lot" of time. But anyhow I switched on the Vaio and pressed the F2 button on startup to enter the Bios screen. Now please do not laugh too much but this was the first time I realized the Booting from second IDE master switch and turned it on. Now I was able to boot directly from CD-Rom, which I was not aware of so far.

So the next step was to connect the external CD-Rom including the Debian Etch Netinstall 4.1R0 CD-Rom which I already prepared before and restarting the Notebook once again.

The Installer came up as described in the Debian Manual and I followed the Manual very carefully. After approximately one hour - my internet connection is only moderate - I got a completely updated Vaio running X in highest resolution possible. There was no reason for any tweeking as the default settings were perfect for me. I will post my xorg.conf later on.

[edit] Debian Etch/Lenny on Vaio PCG-5H8N

I bought a Sony G2 while in Japan, (made to order). The first order of business was installing linux, (Debian Etch, although I have subsequently upgraded to Debian Lenny).

My particular laptop has a 64GB SSD, but no DVD/CDROM drive, so installation was via a flash key. Downloaded the image from debian.org, full instructions are in the Debian install howto. No special steps are needed other than changing the boot order in the bios.

Intel wireless 3945abg requires a little configuration, but is detailed at http://wiki.debian.org/ipw3945

Everything else works except:

fingerprint reader (even though the same model reader works on the thinkpads),
SD card reader

Not tested: firewire, Sony's proprietary MMC reader, modem